Patient, Public & Media Information

Diversity in Orthopaedics

As the demographic face of our nation changes, the orthopaedic community is evolving to reflect and adapt to these critical shifts in the landscape. Recognizing the value and strength inherent in our diverse population is a first step. But our larger goal remains embracing solutions and mechanisms that give all people access to, and a place in, our healthcare system.

As our population grows more diverse, our need grows significantly for physicians who reflect this diversity are accessible to communities and patients with unique needs. The AAOS is taking the lead to ensure all people will be served appropriately by the field of orthopaedics.

Outlined as one of the AAOS' strategic goals, we are committed to fostering diversity in orthopaedics by:

- understanding and responding to the diversity of the patient population
- enhancing the delivery of culturally competent care
- supporting efforts to diversify the profession and orthopaedic work force

To
support these efforts,the AAOS launched the Faces of Orthopaedics
campaign to encourage diversity within the orthopaedic profession (and support
diversity in the patient population), and to recognize the many faces and
diversities in orthopaedics. We invite you to participate in this initiative by
sharing a photo of yourself on social media using the hashtag,
#FacesofOrthopaedics and include a caption on why diversity is important to you
and in the orthopaedic profession.

AAOS Now, the Academy's monthly news magazine, is dedicated to promoting topics related to the Diversity Advisory Board's strategic goals and activities. Below is a list of recently published articles that promote a more diverse, vibrant orthopaedic community.

Please share these articles with your colleagues. If you have an idea for an article or would like to submit an article, contact Dennis Coyle, Publisher, AAOS Now at coyle@aaos.org.

Understanding the nuances of culturally competent patient care is an essential skill for treating our diverse patient base. In addition to being the "right thing to do," practicing culturally competent care can help orthopaedic surgeons achieve:

Improved quality of care

Greater patient adherence and satisfaction

Successful outcomes

Competitive advantage in the marketplace

The AAOS Diversity Advisory Board has curated a selection of resources to help you research and learn more about health care disparities and culturally competent care.

Learn the basics of Culturally Competent Care

Test your cultural competency! AAOS members can log in to access a free Culturally Competent Care Guidebook, tip sheets, and an engaging, interactive quiz designed to hone your approach to patients from diverse ethnic and racial groups.

Not finding what you're looking for? Working on a specific project? Contact ORACLE, a free service that provides personal research assistance to all AAOS members.

Attention Residents and Residency Programs:

The AAOS Diversity Advisory Board invites you to participate in an exciting educational opportunity for orthopaedic residents. Culturally Competent Care: An Orthopaedist's Responsibility is an interactive 60- to 90-minute "grand rounds" presentation that raises residents' awareness and understanding of the unique needs and communication preferences patients may hold due to cultural differences.

As you know, the ACGME supports the idea that residents "demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to patients' culture, age, gender and disabilities" as part of the stated core competencies. Furthermore, with several states considering and/or passing legislation requiring physicians to obtain education in culturally competent care, this will be a necessity for residents as they begin practice.

If you can offer a window of time in your residents' training schedule and an appropriate venue (lecture or training room with A/V capability), we will provide knowledgeable orthopaedic surgeons to discuss these issues with your residents.

Please email diversity@aaos.org with any questions about the culturally competent care "grand rounds" program or to schedule a presentation for your residents.

Picture yourself behind the mask of the many careers in medicine to choose from, none offers greater possibility than orthopaedics. As our population grows increasingly diverse, today's opportunities are especially relevant to women and minority candidates.

A variety of choices and opportunities

You will be able to create a practice that concentrates on sports medicine, pediatric orthopaedics, trauma, and prosthetics/orthotics, or focuses on a specific anatomical area like foot, hand, shoulder, spine, hip, or knee. You may select a single orthopaedic area or choose several. The variety of clinical choices and challenges you will face each day are endless!

We can help you take the next step in your medical career!
For medical students aspiring to become orthopaedic surgeons, the Nth Dimensions | AAOS Orthopaedic Summer Internship Program are invaluable. You'll receive exclusive opportunities to connect with professionals for guidance, support and fellowship.

To learn how the Nth Dimensions | AAOS Orthopaedic Summer Internship Program can help make your orthopaedic aspirations a reality, visit the Nth Dimensions Educational Solutions website at www.nthdimensions.org

We also encourage you to start or participate in an Orthopaedic Special Interest Group at your institution. For more information on OSIGs, please contact volland@aaos.org.

Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society
Founded as a support and networking group for the growing number of women orthopaedic surgeons in 1983, RJOS has expanded to offer guidance and mentoring for medical students and orthopaedic residents. RJOS recently published a book providing practical suggestions for women choosing and completing an orthopaedic residency.

As a motivated woman with an interest in orthopaedic surgery, the RJOS Guide for Women in Orthopaedic Surgery is a well spring of practical and direct information that will smooth your path and inspire you during your professional journey. This book will help you find answers to questions that will make your life easier.

J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society
A multicultural organization, the Gladden Society's mission is to increase diversity in the orthopaedic profession, improve musculoskeletal patient care by improving culturally competent care and eliminate musculoskeletal health care disparities in underserved groups. Learn about the mentoring and networking programs JRGOS can offer medical students and orthopaedic residents.

Fostering diversity is one of the Academy's nine strategic goals designed to advance its mission of serving the profession, championing the interests of patients, and advancing the highest quality musculoskeletal health. To achieve this goal, the AAOS will work to:

understand and respond to the diversity of the patient population,

promote the delivery of culturally competent care, and

support efforts to diversify the profession and the orthopaedic work force

To deliver on these promises, the AAOS Diversity Advisory Board has been established to integrate the values of diversity throughout the Academy's activities, initiatives, and membership.

Mission: To educate our fellows on the impact of diversity and culturally competent care in their practice and society (and to promote the growth of diversity among orthopaedic surgeons).

Attempts to recruit more Spanish-speaking medical students into orthopaedic surgery by advertising the AAOS mentoring program in the National Network of Latin American Medical Students (NNLAMS) resident guide

Works with J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society and Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society to execute an advertising campaign to draw qualified medical students from diverse backgrounds into orthopaedic surgery; collaborates with these groups on medical student outreach and mentoring, and resident scholarship programs

Executes medical school textbook Musculoskeletal Medicine distribution program to two medical schools, including Howard University and Morehouse College

Created the "Follow your Path" recruitment video for distribution to medical schools and medical student organizations

Executes a biennial demographic census of orthopaedic residents to identify trends in the diversification of the orthopaedic profession

Developed and released six audio segments for the "Life, Love, and Health" radio program; segments will play in Wal-mart locations across the U.S. and on satellite radio.

Implemented a media tour to promote the importance and benefits of Cultural Competent Care for physicians and patients in five key states and Washington D.C.

Permeation of diversity throughout AAOS and orthopaedics

Honors individuals' achievements in promoting diversity within the orthopaedic profession and the practice of culturally competent patient care through the bestowment of the annual AAOS Diversity Award

Reviews and provides input on all Academy business plans prior to Finance Committee review to ensure values of diversity and/or healthcare disparities issues were addressed, if appropriate

Maintains extensive editorial calendar for diversity-related articles in AAOS Now to keep the membership informed and engaged

Maintains diversity section of AAOS website to bring resources and news of diversity, CCC, recruitment, and disparities to members, residents, and medical students

Develops diversity- and CCC-related questions for OITE and OSAE examinations.